Fan Fiction ❯ New Dawn Of The Heart ❯ The Will Is Strong But The Heart And Soul Are Stronger ( Chapter 7 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

DISCLAMERAll game characters in this story are property of Namco/Saga.

DISCLAMERThis story contains people being knocked around in weapon fights and bad language as well as * Shoujo-Ai /girl love*

The Will Is Strong But The Heart And Soul Are Stronger

Toki stared at Suzuka for what seemed like an endless moment in time. He turned slowly to look at the young man and woman sprawled close by, his gaze narrowed slightly "You've got to be out of your mind!" Suzuka pulled back a sneer forming across her lips "Kill them now! I order you!"

Toki eyed her he pulled up a hand slowly "No! I will not carry out your order." Suzuka's hand came out off no where wrapping it's self around his throat. The tall woman leaned forward slowly "You'll do as your told! Because if you don't I'll grab Rei and make you watch while I cut her insides out!" Toki slammed his hand up trying to pry Suzuka's loose "I don't have the authority to kill them!"

Suzuka narrowed her good eye "What the hell are you talking about old man?" Toki ground his teeth together "Don't you ever pay attention to the ninja laws? Or is it your stupidity to always skim read and miss important issues?" Suzuka growled she slowly tightened her grip "What do you mean my stupidity, the law states that all trespassers have to die by your hand!"

She tightened her grip even more "That is the law is it not old man?!" Toki looked at her trying not to show the pain as his windpipe was crushed in further "That is the law…Yes but there's a problems with your so called trespassers." Suzuka white eye moved sharply along with her turquoise one "What would that be old man?"

Toki shoved harder trying to pull the taller woman's hand free from his throat "The problem is that they are friends of Taki's that also means they aren't trespassing. On top off that she's the only one who can kill them. The leader of the clan can play no role what so ever in taking the lives of one of his clan members friends or lovers!"

"Only the member in question is aloud to take their lives away!" He choked painfully " So you see I can't touch them and nether can you." He paused trying to shake his head "Do your self a favour Suzuka and try to take the time to read the laws of this clan! I mean could you make yourself look any more foolish?"

Suzuka pulled up sharply she stared at the ninja master for a spilt second then turned to look at the Chinese girl and boy a wide smile crossed her lips "Your very clever old man I mean that's a good one you just pulled." She grinned widely " I mean for a minute there you really had me going!"

Toki snarled aloud "I wasn't pulling anything! That is the ninja law you touch them your life will becomes worthless!" He groaned feeling the woman's fingers tighten even more "Your life already is worthless so to you that wont make much difference but the price will be your leadership rank. Which if you take their lives I can take back from you the moment you spill their blood!"

Suzuka's good eye darted for a second she turned eyeing Rei "Tell me Rei is your father speaking the truth?" She paused squeezing the ninja masters throat the pleasing sound of his choking started to hit her ears " I mean it would just be so…easy to break his neck. I mean its just a little more pressure then it'll break and you'll loose your daddy."

She sneered eyeing the young woman "So be honest is he fucking with me? Is that law for real or is it all just precious lies to save these miserable morons lives?" She squeezed tighter "Do be quick with your answer little Rei, because you never know my hand might just squeeze to hard."

Rei's eyes darted she pulled her hand slowly "He's telling the truth! Leave him alone…please you can check the scrolls for yourself I'll get them for you!" She shivered slightly as Suzuka leaned forward eyeing her "I don't care for those stupid scrolls you annoying little bitch I want you to plead for his life. I just like the look on your face when you beg."

She pulled up Toki until his feet were off the floor "I want to watch you beg for his life!" Rei slowly took another step forward "It's the truth! Please let him go!" She paused for a second staring at Suzuka her eyes slowly narrowed "You can't kill him! The law says you can't touch as until Taki dies! So let him go… please!"

Suzuka pulled up slightly eyeing Rei she turned glaring at Toki she grinded her teeth together "Till Taki dies, always have to wait till Taki dies!" She tightened her grip even more "I'm so tried of waiting, you know it really gets to me that I have to wait for this and wait for that! I want so much to watch your blood soak this temples floor old man."

She pulled up her weapon spinning it slightly "Then may be I'll be happy! Then maybe I'll be able to burn this temple to ground along with this clans dead bodies." She grinned widely "Although Taki and her dumb blonde girlfriend will have the best deaths their entrails will be spattered all over the dragons which will have both fallen from their stands in to the dirt by then."

She leaned over so she close to Toki's ear "Such a heart warming image isn't it old man? Your temple destroyed your ninja clan a myth and your daughter and her girlfriend's bodies laid out in all their dead glory for everyone to see." She breathed in deeply "Fills me with such happiness doesn't it you?"

She watched Toki squirm desperately trying to breath she watched both his eyes narrow as he turned as best he could to look at her. She sighed aloud "Just have to wait wont I? I can wait, as they say the best things come to those who wait."

Rei took a step forward she slowly raised her hand "Please, please let him go!" Suzuka turned slowly eyeing her, she slowly turned eyeing Toki again "Guess I should let you go old man, I mean I can wait a little longer. It wont be much longer I'm sure off it." Suzuka found her self-grinning slightly "What's a little longer anyway."

She let go of Toki's neck sharply, she watched the ninja master bend over painfully as he started to cough and choke as his lungs began to get air again. She turned looking at Rei, the young girl backed away slightly as she stepped forward "Well I guess these foolish friends of Taki will be staying alive a little longer."

She shrugged "Not that it matters your all going to die soon enough." She turned kicking the brown haired Chinese girl who was still out cold "They'll just have to be second." She kicked the girl again then turned looking at Rei "And you'll be first Rei, then everyone will follow."

Rei pulled up sharply "Not if you die first Suzuka." She watched Suzuka's good eye narrow "Such spirit, shame it'll all go to waste along with your clan Rei." She turned slowly making her way towards the door she slowly raised her weapon hand pointing the gruesome eyed weapon at Rei "As if anyone can kill me now Rei!"

She laughed aloud "Taki doesn't stand a chance anymore and nether do you." Rei watched as Suzuka turned to meet her gaze she narrowing her good eye for a moment then turned away "No one can kill me I'm a god, this weapon makes me one and there is nothing that is powerful enough to stand up to it!"

Suzuka sneered then kicked the door open she walked through it slowly, her first guard followed her while the other grabbed the dagger from the floor close to Toki's feet, he grunted then followed Suzuka. Both guards closed the door behind them the familiar sound off the lock being drawn across was heard. Rei slowly looked down at her feet then turned sneering at the door "Arrogant bitch, even gods fall from their thrones!"

Toki felt Ryoko's hand on his shoulder he felt her push him down in to a sitting position he breathed trying to get his breath back "Foolish, foolish ninja…Does she truly believe we'll fall." Ryoko rubbed his back gently "Try not to talk father until you've got your breath back." She smiled as Toki turned to look at her " I don't believe she'll win and nether does anyone here."

Toki sighed aloud His gaze drifted over to the young Chinese girl and boy who were lying on the floor "Nagmo! Hitoshi! Bring them both to me I want to see what shape their in." He watched both his sons nod then stand up taking hold of one of the passed out individuals. He watched as they both brought them over to where he was sitting placing the girl next to him and the young man next to his knees.

He turned looking at Ryoko "Help me look at their wounds." Ryoko nodded slightly then sat down next to him, she watched as Yosho started to look at the young brown haired girls wounds. She shrugged then began to move her hands up the young man's arm trying to feel for broken bones. She shook her head who ever theses two were they'd really screwed up big time coming here.

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Aeon moved slowly through the tunnel, what ever the glowing object was it was getting closer. He squinted slightly trying to see what it was although he found it very hard because of the pitch black around him he could see no more than shapes and moving shadows.

He stood still for a moment trying to listen he could hear shuffling and the sound claws moving he snarled aloud it was probably another disgusting Jumo chewing on some dead guys leather boots. He pulled up his sword grasping the hilt tighter if it was it'd be a dead Jumo by the time he was through with it. He eased the weapon up as he came closer to what ever it was that was moving.

He grinned widely what ever it was it was a stupid bastard; if it had any sense at all it'd turn around and stop ignoring him. He looked closer it was some sort of demon from what he could tell, he could just make out the horns and the wings, which looked like they where folded back. He scowled hearing the sound of chewing and cracking of bones he sidestepped slowly closer to the wall.

No wonder the ugly bastard hadn't noticed him it was to busy stuffing its fat ugly face to be paying enough attention to what was going around it. He grinned pulling the sword further up so it was close to his chest, this was going to be so easy. He just had to get closer so he shove his sword right in to the back off its neck. The ugly bastard wouldn't feel a thing.

He grimaced slightly hearing another crack as the demon in front of him broke what it was it was eating. He pulled his weapon slowly raising it so it was over pointing towards the demons thick neck, he cursed mentally this was insane he wasn't even sure if he had his weapon in the right place plus the pitch black wasn't helping matters ether! This was crazy what if he missed?"

He pulled back breathing in heavily, He had to do this quickly one blow between the neck and shoulder blades, it would be enough to kill the demon on contact. He took a step forward putting his claws down first as to avoid any sound, he grinned placing his other foot down. He pulled up his clawed toes up then slowly put them down.

He smiled swishing his tail slightly then took another step forward, he just had to get a little closer he raised the weapon higher. Then moved his other foot forward he looked down sharply feeling his claws slip slightly causing a slight screeching sound. He looked up sharply he heard the demon move in front of him a purple pair of eyes appeared as the demon turned it's head to look at him.

Aeon stared back he wasn't sure if the demon had seen him, perhaps it hadn't he tried to keep still maybe if he didn't move it would think it was something else like a rat. He kicked himself mentally that was such a stupid though! All the rats around here were probably demon snacks! There probably wasn't a rat alive in this scrum ridden Labyrinth!"

He pulled the sword up higher getting ready to aim it at the glowing purple eyes at least now he could aim at it's head. The purple eyes narrowed slightly there was a snorting sound, which echoed through the tunnel it was followed by a deep growl.

Aeon didn't get chance to move a piercing white light blasted through the tunnel as the huge demon opened it wings. He put a clawed hand over his eyes trying to shield them from the sudden shocking light. He felt himself fall back as the demons wings opened further its wings light brightening the whole tunnel up around him. He hit the floor hard his body grinding to a halt on the hard surface.

He opened his eye slightly while trying to keep hold of his sword, a roar hit the air behind him he turned slightly to see what the huge beast was. A huge white demon came in to view. Its open wings where white as snow, its huge horns rose skywards, its long snout also had a scar running down it. It's lips pulled back showing off its razor sharp teeth.

It's ears went down as it arched it glowing armoured back, the armour shone like silver it was also covered in elaborate patterns none of which he'd ever seen before. It raised its huge clawed hand while its furry tail swished. Aeon crawled back slightly it was the same as the other demon he'd seen before! Or at least it was off the same breed if not the same one.

He slowly pulled himself up on to his knees pulling his shield in front of him; the huge demons clawed hand hit the floor with in inches of his tail. He snarled aloud watching it closely as it rose up again its roar hitting the air causing echoes to thunder through the labyrinth. Its teeth had green blood on them, and under its other clawed hand was the half chewed remains of what looked like a shoju.

Aeon slowly lifted his weapon sharply he roared with all his might right back at the demon, who's chest was rising steadily as it bared down on him. Aeon narrowed his gaze "I don't know who the hell you are! But if you don't move out of my way I'll kill you!"

The huge demon roared again it leaned forward slightly a scowl appeared on its face "Big words coming from such a puny Lizard man." Aeon pulled back slightly it could talk? How in hell was that possible? He stiffened slightly "Guess you eat some poor bastards brain so you could speak didn't you. Well first thing I'll do is rip out your vocal cords dog faced demon."

The demon snarled aloud "How dare you insult me you pathetic little man made demon! I am Jin Uni Ki, I don't kill people or rape them unlike your fifthly little race!" It leaned forward sniffing the air close to him "You reek of…" It paused its eyes opened wide in shock "Amba?"

It pulled up its eyes narrowing "What the hell did you do to my old girlfriend you filthy little bastard!" Aeon moved back sharply narrowly missing the clawed hand as it tried to slash out at him. He leaped back further as the demons jaws came towards him. He swung around slamming his blade hilt in to the demon's snout "Your girlfriend? Who the hell are you to talk you dog faced mutt!"

The demon arched it back then began to come forward "Who am I, let me tell you who I am you filthy little bastard! I am Jiro I was going to be her mate but our relationship didn't work out. I'm a demon who cares about her very much even now and I'm going to be the demon who going to tear you from limp to limp for touching her!" The demons clawed hand came out of no were Aeon found himself howling out in agony as the claws slashed across the arm.

He stumbled back then turned slamming his weapon at the demon it hit the huge beast in the shoulder causing it roar. He watched it stumble back slightly it slowly backed away its purple eyes turned to look at its shoulder, which was bleeding. A slow trickle of red coloured blood was making it's way down it's arm, it sneered at him then pulled out it tongue licking the blood stained fur.

It turned sharply pulling back its lips to show off all its razor sharp teeth "Little bastard!" Aeon pulled back slightly raising his shield and sword "Screw you! I didn't hurt or harm Amba! Who'd want to harm such a beautiful woman?" He watched as the demon spat on the floor it turned meeting his gaze " You lie! You hurt her you scumbag!"

Aeon looked at his arm, which was starting to bleed " Stupid bastard! I didn't harm her! She even mentioned you." He pulled back slightly "You're the Jin Uni Ki demon, she fell in love with." He took another step back this was a Jin Uni Ki? He'd heard of them but up till know nothing about them had made any sense to him. Even in his previous soulless existence the name had been a mystery.

Demon's in his army had snarled at him for mentioning the name, no one had liked to talk about them or even describe them so he'd never known what they looked like. He shook his head that meant the one he'd seen earlier was a Jin Uni Ki as well. He lowered his sword slightly, and this one standing in front of him was Amba's old lover. The demon she'd spoken about! The one who she'd cared about!

He lowered his head she had loved this demon, this demon who was unlike him and yet still like him. He put a clawed hand on his snout why had he blown it with her? Why hadn't he stayed he loved her he knew that much. Foolish moments in time wasted on such turmoil and foolish notions! If she `d slept with this demon in this form with these looks! He stamped his clawed foot in to the ground she could have expected him!

He was such a fool! Now here he was facing her ex lover who was probably going to kill him because he believed he had ether killed her or raped her or something worse. He gripped his sword hilt tighter he was going to be killed in the name of love, for loving someone who he'd left behind thinking she'd never love him for his form. He lowered his head feeling his shoulders slouch what a lame way to die!

He should have taking her hand! He should have cuddled her kissed her given her his heart! Now it was to late, another lost opportunity scattered to winds like sand running through his fingers. A painful wasted moment in time to add to his collection of mounting failures.

Jiro growled aloud but stopped short noticing the change in Lizard man's body language, it was almost like all the fight in him had gone. He pulled up his clawed hand making a fist it was probably a trick he'd seen Lizard men do this sort of thing before this bastard was no different.

He would not be fooled by this beast, it had harmed what was dare to him Amba had no doubt been hurt by it! This thing had harmed her in some way he was sure off it! Lizard men were well known for there lies and territory. They had sent whole armies to their deaths many times and all in the name off the soul edge swords, which they had searched for but never found! On top of this they were soulless humans who had been changed by some priest of darkness just to do his evil bidding!

He'd loved Amba he still spent his time thinking about her and to think this ugly being had violated her made him sick to the stomach! How dare he touch her! How dare he believe he was worthy off her! She was ten times the person he could ever hope to be! He was just another disgusting tool and a left over from an almost extinct race, which should have been wiped out long ago!

He looked at his gleaming claws, it didn't matter now the only thing that mattered was making him dead along with the rest off his dieing race! He'd find Amba as soon as the troubles above were over! All that mattered in this moment was taking this creatures life! He stepped forward slowly" Are you afraid of death?"

Aeon looked up sharply "I die every second off every day as if death would make a difference to me." He pulled up his sword looking at it "I've lost everything that mattered to me! Everything that meant something along with and my humanity! It's not as if you wanting to make me suffer a painful death will change anything!"

Jiro sneered slightly "Such pathetic words, as if you feel anything! Your just a screwed up tool of the dark army one that should have died along with the rest off your race!" Aeon flicked up his sword gazing at it "Sad how when I think about that I know that it's true. Hey come to think off it you killing me will put me out off my misery."

Jiro stiffened "Your so full off it as if you have any emotions! You're soulless! Built for one purpose to destroy the lives of humans who are innocent while raining down the horror of a thousand battles on them just so you can get the Soul Edge swords! Well the swords aren't here you stupid little bastard!"

Aeon turned slightly to meet his gaze " Good well know that we've established that fact why don't you kill me! Because I'm getting bored of this moronic conversation!" He pulled up his sword pointing at the huge demon "I'll make it worth your while, I'll put up a good fight and die like true warrior with my sword in my hand!"

Jiro felt his claws scarp the ground "You could never be a true warrior, just like you could never hope to have emotions!" Aeon let his gaze drift up his sword " Fuck you, you ugly dog faced bastard as if you could ever come close to understanding me!" He watched the demon rise up again showing off all its razor sharp teeth its roar hitting the air. He shook his head the time for words was over, the time had come to fight for what little self worth he had left.

Jiro jumped forward he pulled up his clawed hand slamming it down, he watched the lizard man dodge his blow by moving quickly to one side. He pulled his clawed hand from the stone, which had spilt on contact. He roared aloud running forward only to be hit in the face with the lizard man's sword. He reeled in agony he turned sharply only to be hit in chest with the shield.

Aeon back flipped he watched as the huge demon was knocked back as his tail impacted with it's face. The blow sent it sprawling back, he turned as it slowly pulled it's self up off the floor ignoring the steady stream of blood which was starting to flow from it's mouth. It shook its mane savagely as its enraged gaze met his, Aeon pulled up his shield "You're a little rusty, how amusing."

Jiro pulled up a clawed hand wiping the blood from his mouth he narrowed his gaze then stepped forward "I'll give you amusing!" He pulled up readying his horns he strained his muscles slightly he knew this was going to be difficult his horns weren't made for this. He shook of his thoughts they weren't worth thinking about. His body sprang in to motion his head lowered in to position, right know he wished he had Kiyoshi's horn caps.

He closed his eyes as he slammed in to the lizard man the blow sent him flying he watched out of the corner of his eyes as his opponents shields was thrown it spun past him hitting the floor near by. With out thinking he brought his horns down on the fallen monster.

Aeon didn't think he slammed up his hand grabbing one of the Jin Uni Ki's horns as it came towards his chest. He sneered pushing back with all his might using his shield hand to push the demons head back. He slammed up his clawed foot kicking it in chest the blow caused it to pull back slightly. He sliced his sword up he watched as blood sprayed from its huge white furred arm as the weapon made contact.

He pulled himself to his feet ignoring its roar of agony he kept his free hand around its horn using all his weight to push it back. He brought the weapons hilt down again slamming it in to the beast's right eye. He watched it pull back painfully its huge head moved violently to one side trying to throw him off.

Jiro snarled, he slammed his head forward only to be met with another blow to his already bruised eye. He stiffened his shoulders then threw his whole upper body upward he watched as the lizard man was thrown through the air. He brought up his clawed hand swinging it down with all his might, he watched as the lizard man was thrown back with the force of the blow.

It's body was sent crashing the ground Jiro watched as it came to a painfully halt, its claws scratched the floor as it tried to stop it's self. Jiro jumped up he brought his foot down slamming it in to the lizard man chest before he could rise. He heard the breaking of the stone floor as the lizard mans back was pushed down further in it. He grinned widely then brought up his foot again slamming it down on the lizard man.

He grabbed hold of the lizard man's foot pulling it clean off the ground, he watched, as it thrashed around trying to free it's self. He leaned forward until his face was close to it's "Such is the smell of your blood you ugly little bastard." The lizard man didn't get a chance to reply as he swung it against the corridors solid wall he watched blood spray from its mouth as it's head hit the wall.

He narrowed his gaze he'd have to hit a lot harder from what he'd heard lizard men had four-inch thick skulls, which they used to break the ribs of humans who they head butted. He slammed it in to the wall with all his might he watched as the stone was sent flying past him from the impact of the lizard mans body. He grabbed both its leg again before it could move.

This wasn't working! It wasn't dead! He watched as it tried to lash out again with its weapon, it was a very resilient bastard that was for sure it was bleeding from ten places and it still wasn't dead! He scowled at it, maybe it was one of those super warrior types, he'd heard about some which had been honourable strong warriors once. They were apparently a lot more work to kill.

He grabbed hold of it with his other hand grabbing it around its stomach, which wasn't so heavily armoured as everything else, He dodged as tried to swing at him again pulling up his other hand he wrapped it around the same area. He smiled widely as he began to squeeze inwards. The lizard man began to thrash around painfully he smiled as its hidden spines shot up and its roar of agony hit the air.

He watched as the sword fell from its hand, which started to scratch at his frantically he leaned forward slightly "I ought to really eat you, perhaps I will start with your head once I break your spine." He squeezed harder hearing something break it was no doubt its pelvis he ignored its roar of agony this was so much fun it was better than killing demons.

"Jiro!"

Jiro turned sharply his gaze met Yasashiku's he watched as his leader rose up on his hind legs his golden plated armour hitting the light which caused the silver engraved patterns to sparkle in the light. The huge leaders wings were covered in armour plating only the white-feathered tips could be seen. A very elaborate armoured headpiece covered his head.

It completely covered one of his horn set's he watched his eyes narrow "What the hell do you think you're doing!" Jiro turned to eye the still struggling lizard man "What does it look like I'm doing! I'm breaking my next lunches spine so I can eat it whole!"

Yasashiku stiffened "Oh so we eat human souls do we!" he watched the younger Jin Uni Ki snarl he turned looking at the Lizard man "Human soul! This thing doesn't have a human soul plus it's harmed my ex girlfriend! Probably raped her no doubt, I'm doing it a favour by putting it out of its misery!"

Yasashiku roared aloud "Put it down Jiro! Now!" Jiro turned slightly meeting his gaze "No! It's mine I found I'll kill it! So back off it's my food not yours!" He grinned squeezing the Lizard mans body harder "I want to eat it go find your own!"

Yasashiku scowled slightly "That so called food of yours has a human soul! It's an offence to eat a human soul! Don't make me have to take it from you Jiro!" Jiro eyed the Lizard man in his hands "Human soul my ass! You know as well as I do Lizard men don't have human souls!"

Yasashiku found himself breathing in deeply "That one does! So drop it before I have to take it from you!" He watched the young Jin Uni Ki sneer "No it doesn't!" Yasashiku slowly raised his clawed hand "Smell it properly Jiro! It has a human soul!"

Jiro found him self-staring at his leader for a second, he tensed slightly this was insane he had to drop this Lizard man! He leaned forward slightly sniffing harder this had to be a joke! No Lizard man alive had a human soul! This was total bull!

He stopped short his thoughts vanishing in an instant, the lizard man did smell of Amba but it also smelt human. It had a human soul! How in hell was that possible? It made no sense what so ever! How had it managed to regain its human soul? He leaned closer easing his grip around its stomach perhaps he was missing something. He closed his eyes sniffing even deeper a lingering smell hit his nostrils.

He had missed it earlier because he'd been to focused on Amba's left over soul essence to notice it, it was another girl's essence it seemed to be laid on top off the original human soul like it had been left there by accident and couldn't be removed. It was Sophitia's there was no doubt about it, how it had got there was a mystery to him but it was there.

It didn't have any reminisce of Taki in it ether, which was even stranger what on earth had Sophitia being doing with this Lizard man? Was this beast some element from her past history? He looked at the Lizard man who was starting to collapse in his hands from the agony he was suffering. He slowly eased the creature down to the floor staring at it in disbelief.

Aeon found him self howling out in pain he couldn't move his lower half, he turned trying to keep himself focused the demon had put him down. Why had it done that? Why hadn't it finished him off? He moaned painfully ignoring the blood that was still dripping from his mouth. He was still going to die anyway he was badly wounded and he knew his bones had been broken.

He looked at his body there where deep bloody gashes on his arms and legs these were dripping red blood pools on to the floor. He raised his bloody hand slowly looking at the red liquid as it ran off it, at least he was bleeding true human blood now unlike those of his kind with no human soul. They could only bleed the green blood off demons such was their fate.

Even in death they'd die as demons unlike him he'd die like a human and bleeding like one, he grinned widely trying to ignore the fact his eyes were starting to lose focus. He pulled himself painfully forward he could just about make out his sword. He pulled his hand out grabbing at the ever-blurring shadows he smiled again feeling the weapon under his clawed fingers.

He pulled the weapon to his chest then slowly laid his head down on the solid stone floor, the world to him was clouding over, he breathed in painfully watching it vanished in to darkness.

Jiro watched in horror as the Lizard man's eyes rolled back and his body slouched, he stared at the red blood, which was dripping from the lizard man's mouth and other wounds. He hadn't noticed it he hadn't bothered to look no normal lizard man bled like a human! He watched as Yasashiku stepped forward picking the fallen lizard man off the floor.

He looked at it for a moment then pulled out his other hand picking the fallen shield from the floor, he turned slightly meeting Jiro's worried gaze "I can heal him it'll just take time. It will also hold as back since we need to know who he is and how he's came in contact with Sophitia." Jiro lowered his head "How could I be so stupid? How could I not see?!"

Yasashiku looked up slowly "We all make mistakes, plus your actions were understandable you still care for Amba you were just doing what you thought was right." He turned looking at the limp lizard man "We can discuss this later though right know healing this creatures wounds is more important."

Jiro sighed aloud he watched as his leader turned making his way through the corridor he slowly followed keeping his head held low. So much for his first battle he'd hurt an innocent with out realizing that it had a human soul he'd been to busy paying attention to its features.

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Sophitia looked around her at the corridor; it seemed different from the all others elaborate Japanese's markings lined the walls. At least it was well lit unlike the previous corridors. She let her eyes wander across the many different dragons, which were also painted across the walls, she pulled up her hand letting her fingers run down one off the dragons bodies.

She felt Taki's hand on hers she watched silently as Taki's hand followed her tracing the white dragon's body, which looked like it was moving across the wall. She shifted her gaze to the writing underneath she found herself sighing aloud she couldn't read it. It was another jumble of odd symbols, which were mocking her because she couldn't read them.

Her thoughts were suddenly shifted to one side as she felt Taki's hand run through her hair the movement was so comforting, her gaze shifted meeting Taki's she watched the ninja smile then pull her weapon hand forward tapping the writing with the blade " It says Ryo-Wo, he who holds the Tidal Jewels, which control the tides of the world." Sophitia looked up slightly "That sounds like a very powerful dragon."

Taki slowly put her arm around Sophitia's waist "He's said to be god of the sea and those who die on the ocean are said to go to live in his kingdom under the sea." She kissed Sophitia on the cheek "Dragons guard everything here in Japan" She slowly ran her hand up the younger woman's blue shirt. Sophitia raised an eyebrow then turned to look at the wall "I was always told Poseidon was guardian of the sea."

Taki pulled up Sophitia's hand kissing it "Whose Poseidon? It's just I've only heard of about Ares, Hephaestus and Zeus." Sophitia turned slightly "He is the God of the sea he's said to beable to control the sea and the mighty sea monsters in it."

Taki slowly put a hand under the younger woman's chin "Interesting it appears we both have gods who guard the ocean." Sophitia smiled widely "Perhaps they share the ocean." Taki smiled running her hand down the dragons body again "Perhaps they do, or maybe they argue over who owns what ocean." Sophitia pulled up a hand running it through Taki's long black fringe "That wouldn't surprise me."

Taki laughed slightly she slowly pulled up her weapon hand twirling the blade lightly "Wouldn't surprise me ether all most gods seem to do is fight." She shrugged slightly "Maybe all their arguing is why the demons get released from the shadow world." Sophitia smirked pulling up her hand she gently ran her finger down Taki's chest "You'd be lost if you didn't have demons to fight though."

Taki leaned forward a grin spreading across her face "I'd be lost yes but not as lost as I would be if you weren't by my side. Demon killing is just a job it pays for my clothing and food and weapon repairs but it's lonely and boring to do on your own." She looked up her eyes drifting across the corridor "I felt so lost when I had to leave the Hoko ji temple. It was so boring and lonesome killing demons on my own, I really hated it."

Sophitia eased up her hand running it down Taki's arm "Seung Mina told me that how you two met, you were both chasing a demon which was trying to run away." Taki pulled up slightly "Oh yes him, that bastard Shoji I swear that one had eaten the brain of a Samurai general it was really intelligent and just kept getting away before I could finish it off."

She growled shaking her head "That fucker, broke my arm as well, I just couldn't get it, it was because of Seung Mina I managed to trap that thing and kill it." She slowly ran a hand through her dark black hair "I kinda feel bad though I interrupted her praying which she was doing to one off her Chinese's gods and I trashed the altar completely during the fight."

Taki pulled up Sophitia's hand running her fingers through the Greeks "Had to pay for the altar as well as do repairs on it after I broke it, actually so did she but she never complained about it. Which I never to this day will understand since she got seriously told off by the temple priests even though it was my fault in the first place and not hers."

"I even tried to tell them that I was the one who broke the roof and fell on the altar just so I kill some scum bag demon." Sophitia put a hand on her chin "Maybe it's a Chinese's custom that you can't fight in some holy temples. I've been told off for fighting in some of the temples in Greece" She found herself smiling widely " I got in to so much trouble for fighting in Aphrodite's temple."

Taki raised her eyebrow "Is that your goddess of love?" Sophitia slowly put her hand on Taki's face "Yes she is, how did you know? I thought you only said you knew three Greek Gods, four now including Poseidon." Taki found herself grinning, "I took a guess."

Sophitia smiled widely "Good guess" She pulled up her hand looking at it "It's against the law to fight in Aphrodite's temple, I got thrown in the Greek cells for a whole night for that one. Wasn't my fault ether the warrior I was fighting with kept coming forward and I was pushed in to the temple I also broke a few of the vases by accident."

Taki gently put both of her hands on Sophitia's shoulder "You won right?" Sophitia looked down at her feet "No, it was tied because two temple guards knocked me out and him by smashing vases over both our heads when we both weren't looking." Taki leaned forward she eased up Sophitia's hair she watched it run through her fingers "That must have hurt."

Sophitia rolled her eyes "Not as much as the headache and the night in the freezing cold cell." She found herself grimacing "The food in there was horrible I was sick for three days straight because off what I ate in that cell. She shivered slightly "I never want to eat prison food again."

Taki slowly ran her hands up Sophitia's arm she traced the muscles with her fingers "I know how you feel I've been thrown in many cells but its normally because I broke something like a statue or a temple roof. I spent a whole week in a cell because I broke one of the Chinese's temple dragons by accident."

She shrugged her shoulder "I was aiming for the Jumo demon at the time the bastard just decided to use the temple's dragon statue to stop my magical spell which ended up blowing both of them to pieces."

Sophitia smiled she slowly ran her finger further down Taki's chest causing the ninja to breath in sharply "I guess I'm not the only warrior who's badly behaved." Taki leaned closer "I'm very badly behaved, I couldn't behave if someone had a sword to the back off my neck." She pulled up a hand running it down Sophitia's neckline " I guess it's a ninja thing we just don't know how to behave ourselves."

Sophitia closed her eyes "It's not that you don't know how it's more a case of you not wanting to." Taki raised an eyebrow " That's true but I get the impression you like your girlfriends badly behaved. I have a sneaking feeling it makes life far more fun for you."

Sophitia pulled up sharply she turned to meet Taki's brown gaze" I think you like your girlfriends innocent and cute because it means you play naughty little games with them." Taki found her smile widening "No I like my girlfriend to play innocent, which is what you do, I also love you your so much more fun than Japanese girls because you play along with my games."

Sophitia smirked playfully "I like playing along with your games, Greek girls and boys aren't half as much fun as you are. You make me feel alive and you treat me like I'm human. They treat me like an icon and forget that I have feelings, they even forget I can bleed."

Taki leaned forward gently kissing Sophitia on the lips "Bleeding makes you human, what kind of a person are you if you can't feel or bleed red blood like anyone else? I always thought our feelings are what make as human, I just love the fact that unlike everyone else you're brave enough to express yours."

She slowly eased both arms up Sophitia's back tracing the muscle line "That's one of the reasons I love you." Sophitia leaned back slightly feeling the blood start to channel through her body the feeling was almost over whelming she could feel Taki's fingers moving down the length off of her back then slowly moving down her legs. She could herself loosing focus because of the kiss's, which were being placed on her neck.

She found herself grabbing at Taki's collar to stop herself from falling back on to the corridor wall, it was so intoxicating to beable to feel that warmth at the pit of the stomach something which she'd forgotten for so long. She could feel her breath quickening her free hand slammed itself in to the wall she didn't even hear her own finger nails as they trailed down the wall making a deep scratching sound.

Gods how she loved this feeling, it felt like she'd been struck by the lighting bolts of Zeus himself she didn't want it leave! She found her free hand grabbing at Taki's ponytail this feeling was better than anything she'd felt in her life and she was finding it hard to control herself. Desirers, lust, want and need it was channelling through her body. It was so overwhelming but she didn't want it to stop.

Taki watched Sophitia's head swing back it was a rush of blonde hair that seemed to move in slow motion. She closed her eyes sharply trying to stop, she wanted this so much she wanted to feel this young woman's body against her own and to move her hands across the lighter skin. To watch those eyes which even in the low light sparkled with every shade of green and remained her off green sapphire.

She wanted to make love to her! She wanted to give her everything she could give. This labyrinth was really starting to get on her nerves. She mentally kicked herself what the hell was she thinking! This was no place to show Sophitia how she felt! She wasn't one of those annoying Japanese woman she'd slept with, she was so more than that and deserved better.

Her eyes shot open she had to stop this now! She slowly pulled both arms away trying to ignore the kisses that were being placed on her neck. She rolled her eyes back this was so hard it almost hurt to do it. She shook her head trying to push back slightly she found herself breathing out faster and harder but Sophitia was starting to stop. She turned meeting the younger woman's confused expression.

Sophitia slowly narrowed her eyes "Why do you do that? Why do you always stop?!" Taki breathed in deeply Sophitia was right she'd stopped her in the Jin Uni Ki garden three times. It had been so good she hadn't wanted to stop herself she'd wanted to carry on. On all those occasions she'd turned her lust in to soft touches and caress and gentle kisses. This was so frustrating!

She turned meeting Sophitia's gaze "I'm sorry." She paused noticing that Sophitia had raised an eyebrow. She slowly pulled up her hand easing up a strand off the blonde hair she began to move it through her fingers "Its just this is no place for me to show you how much I care about you." Sophitia turned her head to one side "Oh like I care about the demons!"

She stepped forward putting a hand on the ninja's face "Do you know how frustrating this is? I mean come on you can kill the demons with your eyes closed!" Taki sighed aloud she slowly put a hand on her head "I probably could but that's besides the point! I will not make love to you in this place!"

Sophitia found herself grinding her teeth together "Do you think I care about this place, I care about you I want you so much." She found herself pulling her weapon from her belt and slamming it in to the wall. She could feel her body shaking she ran her hand through her hair trying to control herself.

Taki slowly stepped forward she eased her arm around the younger woman's waist she put her hand up easing Sophitia's away from the weapon she squeezed it gently. She could feel her girlfriends body shaking she gently kissed the side off Sophitia's face "I know, I know you do I want you just as much. It's just you deserve so much more than to taken on the messy floor of some fifthly labyrinth."

She gently nuzzled the blonde hair "Please understand that I want to give you so much more than that. Your not one off my conquests your not one off those girls who I had sex with because I was bored or sexually frustrated. Your special you mean something to me I want to show that to you so much, but not here, not in this place."

Sophitia turned silently her gaze meeting Taki's, her girlfriend was right she looked slowly down at her feet. Who was she to push like this? It was her fault in the first place for teasing. She turned gazing at her hand she was starting to let her wants and her needs get in the way of what was important which was getting out of the Labyrinth.

She pushed her long fringe back, Taki was right this was no place to express how she felt it was horrible, cold and full of bones from dead warriors who had died in horrible ways. In the mist of her love blooming for Taki she had completely forgotten this. This was a graveyard of corridors and horrible rooms all of which could take ether of their lives at any moment.

She slowly looked up meeting Taki's brown gaze the ninja's eyes were full of desperation and anxiety. Her girlfriend loved her enough to stop her even though it hurt to say no because she believed she was special. Sophitia slowly let her fingers wander through the dark black fringe no one had ever cared to tell her that she was special, or cared enough to say that she deserved to made love to in the right place.

She slowly leaned her head against Taki's pulling the ninja down very slightly "You care for me so much." She knew her words sounded slightly broken. Taki closed both eyes "I'm in love with you, there's so much I want to do with you and share with you, so many ways I want to please you and pleasure you."

Taki found herself pausing this was so difficult it was even scaring her how much she opening up to this woman. She eased up a hand running it down Sophitia's cheek "I just couldn't ever forgive myself if I made love to you here. I'd hate myself for doing it and it'd be wrong. I know I'm not the best partner I have my faults and I make mistakes but I want my relationship with you to mean something."

She tensed slightly "I don't want to screw up this relationship like I screwed up my life by being such a bitch to everyone and hiding my feelings from those who tried to help me." Sophitia watched the ninja's eyes open slightly Taki looked like she was about to cry, "You didn't screw up your life you tried to make the best of everything."

She gently kissed the ninja on the side off the cheek "I always admired your courage I don't blame you for being bitter it's not like the world was handing you a nice card. I just want to make you happy I just want you to feel loved because I know you love me more than anyone I've ever met, I realize that now. Nothing anyone has ever done has ever meant so much to me as what you do."

Taki slowly opened her eyes she looked up meeting Sophitia's "Thank you for understanding." She eased her arms slowly around Sophitia. She eased up her hand gently running it down the blonde hair. Sophitia wrapped her arms around the ninja she could feel herself fighting the tears "I love you so much." Taki gently leaned forward kissing Sophitia on the lips "I know you do, I love you to."

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Kilik painfully opened his eyes her found himself putting his hand on his head he could hear voices all around him, perhaps he was dead already and the voices were heavenly. Her watched all the shadows in front off him they were so dark maybe he was in hell and Chu Jiang's servants were collecting him. He sneered if it was them they'd got the wrong guy since he'd never murdered or thieved from anyone.

He felt his arm as it was pulled up and he brought up in to a sitting position he found himself grimacing as a horrible liquid was put in to his mouth. He tried to spit it out but found his head being grabbed, which caused him to swallow the foul tasting stuff. He groaned closing his eyes if this was death then it sucked almost as much as being alive and feeling sick.

He slowly opened his eyes again he watched as the world slowly came to focus he watched as his hand in front of off his face came in to view. He moaned painfully his body hurt terribly he lowered his eyes looking at the floor, it was carpeted and there were large pillows and a number off stools.

He shook his head maybe he wasn't dead, he looked around slowly a face came in to view. It was a Japanese's woman's face she had very long loose black hair and green eyes he looked down at her clothing she was wearing a body suit, which reminded him of Taki's apart from the fact it had a huge purple dragon, which was wrapped around the front. The woman leaned forward she seemed to study him for a second.

He was about to say something when a black haired butch man came in to view his brown eyes just stared at him then turned to look at the woman "Is he awake? I mean did Yosho's healing stuff work?" The woman turned slightly "Appears to be I think he's awake now, he's so lucky he came off with the wounds he had Suzuka could have done far worse."

The dark haired man's eyebrow slowly rose "Kinda scrawny isn't he? I mean it's not like he has huge muscles, how do you suppose the little guy pulls girls?" The hark haired woman turned slightly "Probably the same way do Nagmo except they get turned on by all his scars, especially by the one on his face girls like that kind of thing."

Nagmo grinned widely "Oh I see, so he turns you on Ryoko." Ryoko slowly turned her head eyeing him "No actually he doesn't Nagmo he's not my type you know that as well as I do." Nagmo slowly put his hand on his chest "Well on the bright side at least I can say I'm better looking than he is, I still think the girl who's with him is really good looking. I hope she's not taken, because I'd love to sleep with her."

Kilik's eyes shot fully open he turned sneering at the dark haired man "You keep the hell away from girlfriend you son of bitch!" He slammed his fist out before the man had time to react the force of the blow knocked him back causing him to slide across the floor. He narrowed his eyes snarling at the fallen man "Touch her and I'll rip you in half you bastard!"

Ryoko turned grabbing the Chinese mans arm before he could take another blow he turned looking at her, his eyes were enraged "Hey! Easy now my friend was just joking! He's like that!" She watched as the man pulled away from her grip he slowly sat back down his face expressing the numb pain, which was still coming from his unhealed wounds. Ryoko slowly put a hand on his arm "Were your friends not your enemies."

Nagmo slowly sat up rubbing his bloodied up nose " One of our clan member saved both your lives your lucky you survived, Suzuka was going to have you both killed." Kilik slowly moved his shoulders. He turned looking around him there were three other people who were all cleaning up Seung Mina's wounds. His girlfriend still hadn't come around he turned watching as a middle aged man with a white beard slowly came to sit in front off him.

The man eased out his hand slowly "I'm so glad to see you've come around, I'm Toki leader of this ninja clan, the Fu-Ma ninja's or Dragon clan as it may be known to you." He paused "You know my daughter Taki, or at least that what Suzuka told as."

Kilik looked up slightly "Your Taki's father." He slowly eased out his out his hand "I heard about you Taki spoke once to me about you." He slowly took the ninja master's hand "Pleased to meet you." Toki sighed aloud "I know our meeting is not under the best of circumstances I apologise for that." He turned eyeing the brown haired girl who was still out cold "Your girlfriend should come around soon were doing everything we can to sort out her wounds."

Kilik slowly pulled his hand away he turned to look at Seung Mina "Thank you for saving as." Toki breathed in deeply "Don't thank me, thank my youngest daughter Rei she saved you both." He turned his hand pointing to a small short black haired girl who was busy working on Mina's wound her red eyes were wandering over the cuts "As soon as she's healed your girlfriend you can thank her."

Toki turned giving Nagmo a stern look "Also ignore my son Nagmo he didn't mean to offended you, he just can't keep his mouth shut at times." Ryoko stood up slowly putting out a hand to kilik "He's just a bit angry, he means no wrong its just that bitch Suzuka is making our lives very miserable right now and were all stuck in this horrible position."

Kilik slowly turned eyeing Nagmo "I'm really sorry about your nose I didn't mean to hit you that hard I just though you were some perverted asshole homing in on my girlfriend." Nagmo slowly put one of the wet herb soaked healing cloths up to his nose "Don't worry about it, happens all the time."

Ryoko smiled widely "Were just glad you pulled through we were all worried for a while their." Nagmo shook his head "Okay now were screwed that leaves Taki and her girlfriend as our last hope out of this situation! Well I guess in a way this sums up what I've been saying all along, which is where going to die!"

Toki turned sharply eyeing up his son "Be quite Nagmo!" He slowly eased up his hand " How is it you have so little faith in them? I mean look at them, look how far they've come. I believe they can save as all, so should you!"

Nagmo pulled back a sneer forming on his face "This is so fucked up, I'm mean come on Taki walks around with her brains in her lowers period! She wont make it through the Labyrinth because she'll be more concerned about making love to the blonde girl!" He pulled up his hand "It's only a matter of time before she screws up, I mean come on we all know what she's like with beautiful women!"

Rei slowly pulled the wet cloth she was holding away from the Chinese's girls arm "You know you really didn't pay much attention to the mirror did you? I mean hell she just stopped herself from doing that because she loves Sophitia! When are you going to get it through your stupid thick skull that this Greek is not one of Taki's conquests!"

Nagmo stiffened slightly "That proves nothing! I know Taki, Taki's brain consists of three things be a good leader, kill demons with style and sleep with beautiful women at every opportunity!" He pulled up both hands "That's her aim in life, she told me once during one off our drinking matches, ok she was out off her face but the message was clear!"

Hitoshi slowly rose to his feet "Oh geez…I can't believe I'm hearing this crap, Taki says anything when she's out off her face. She's like Ryoko her mouth just takes over and so does everything else bellow her waist line!" Ryoko snarled slightly turning to meet Hitoshi's gaze "Screw you! I'm not drunken moron who wants sex!"

Hitoshi smirked slightly "You've never seen yourself drunk have you? Well let me tell you something Ryoko you talk dirty and disgusting just like Taki and you think every guy in the Tavern is their for you sleep with! Get over it and deal with the fact that you're no better than Nagmo when you're out of your face."

Ryoko slammed her fist in to her palm "I'm not as bad as he is! He's bad because it's his nature. I mean come on, he's an orphan from brothel. He was probably traumatized by watching his mother have sex with men in front off him before she died from the sickness that was sweeping Japan."

Nagmo snarled aloud "Well at least I wasn't abandoned by my mother like you Ryoko! At least she looked after me till she died! As for you Hitoshi your mother just made a mistake because she slept with a Samurai. What can I say if daddy ever finds out you're a ninja he'll be so disappointed."

Hitoshi turned around slowly "Shut the fuck up you perverted bastard!" Ryoko sneered pulling up her fist "Yeah shut up you asshole your pissing me off!" Nagmo shrugged slightly "Well where all pissed off well that's nothing new. This clan has a history off being pissed off and grouchy as well as insane."

He put a hand on his chin "Come to think off it isn't that the reason Taki left? Hell I don't blame her for running away I mean we where the ones chasing her to her death. I'm shocked that she's even come back here. I mean if I were her I'd take the blonde girl and get away and live my life happily! I wouldn't come back to my pathetic excuse for a ninja family!"

Kilik stared for a long moment, what the hell had just happened? Everything had been fine on minute and then the next all hell had broken loose. He wanted to fight against the older dark haired man for saying such things about Taki and Sophitia but it was not his place. He didn't know this situation and had idea what these ninja's were going through.

It had probably been terrible for them, they were stuck in a room being guarded by assassins and the bitch Suzuka was no doubt bullying them in ways he properly couldn't imagine. They had put themselves on the line to save both himself and Mina knowing that in the process one off them could have died. Know they were taking a bigger risk by keeping Mina and him alive.

He shook his head then slowly moved his free hand through Mina's brown hair, ninja's always liked to keep their secrets or that was the impression he gotten from Taki. He sighed aloud all theses ninja's were probably at the end off their tethers and had just had enough off being locked up in this room like animals in a cage. He could see by the looks on their faces they were stressed and hadn't slept in a long time.

Toki slowly stood up he stared at Nagmo for a long second before breathing in deeply " I'm not going to lie to you Nagmo I still don't understand why she returned since I'm the one who let her down. I don't know why she still cares like you I know she has the love off her life and could be so happy elsewhere. I'm desperately wanting to see her again to ask her why the reason is she returned, that's why I want her to succeed so badly."

He pulled up his hand looking at it "If she does at least I'll get a chance to rebuild the bridges I destroyed with her. I'll beable to show her I care, not that she'll really want to look me in the face after what I did to her, but a least I can try for all I'm worth to make things right."

He slowly turned to Ryoko "We've all done things we hate, we've all had to start over again. I had to start over with all off you and we've all become a family again, I just want the final member of our family to return to as and be happy. I'm sure you all want the same as me to be a full clan again and to beable to break free of these painfully shadows as well as bring in new members."

He put a hand on his chest "That is what keeps as alive our will to survive and grow as a clan! We should always remember that and hold on to it, being alone as a ninja is horrible and lonely, as Taki has shown as all, it's the reason she's suffered. No doubt it's also the reason she's fallen in love and theirs nothing wrong with her choice ether, Sophitia Alexandra is a fine warrior."

He turned looking at Nagmo again "When all this over and done with maybe then we can all learn to grow again as a clan. I'm sure that what you all want isn't it?" He watched as his children slowly nodded their heads. He slowly pushed his hair back he wasn't sure that he was saying the right thing but giving all his children something to believe in was the most important thing right now.

They were all frustrated, tried and angry he could see it in all their faces, some like Rei and Yosho were hiding there hurt and frustration while Nagmo and Ryoko were finding it really hard to control themselves now. Hitoshi had also been acting out of character his calm seemed to be breaking and he was lashing out at every opportunity.

No doubt Suzuka's blade was also affecting their minds causing them to fight amongst themselves that in truth was one things the Soul Edge swords were very famous for. They had caused wars to break out among normally peaceful countries they could turn calm men insane and bust up long time friendships and relationships. He put a hand on his face then turned to look at Taki's image in the mirror, she had to come through for all off them.

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Aeon slowly opened his eyes it was hard not to squint he slowly eased up a clawed hand to his chest, which hurt to the touch. He looked at his bloody clawed hands he wasn't dead or so it seemed. He grunted maybe the Jin Uni Ki had smashed him up so good that it thought he was dead and had left because it was bored.

He slowly put both clawed hands on the floor which felt like soft stone, he turned sharply he wasn't in the part of the labyrinth he had been in before! Where the hell was he? He turned looking at the walls they were made of white stone and heavily lit he groaned then eased himself in to a sitting position his feet were close to what looked like a blue coloured lake.

The whole room was white and so was the spot he was sitting on, it was warm as well an odd sensation to his scales. He eased his leg slightly then moved the other one his gaze narrowed how was he could move? Why was there no pain? It almost seemed like someone had healed his broken bones. He pulled up his arm sharply his gaze drifted over what looked like a white patch of leather.

It sparkled like stars he put a hand on his snout he was obviously hallucinating because fur couldn't sparkled, maybe when that Jin Uni Ki had hit him it had broken part of his brain in the process and now he'd gone slightly insane. He snarled aloud he was already sad and miserable as if this would really make a difference to his life. He put his clawed hand on the fur feeling it, it was oddly soft but slightly leathery.

He snorted it was also odd because it was white leather and not brown, leather wasn't normally white or at least he'd never seen any that was until now. He breathed in deeply then slouched back, trying to ignore the painful twinges in his body. He slowly closed his eyes listening to the splashing of the lake, which was almost soothing to his ears.

The whole places seemed so calm, almost serene he let the breath escape his lips it was almost like being in the Greek wheat fields of gold, there was no sound, no immediate want to do anything just warm soothing peace which made him not want to do anything but lie back and rest.

He pulled out his tongue flicking it through the air, which was so fresh to the taste. He grunted who ever put him here had a good idea of what he liked. He stiffen slightly no doubt though he was here for a reason and who ever was here would break his silence soon enough. He pulled up his lips showing off his teeth it was probably the work of some desperate demon who he'd have to rip apart with his bare hands.

He shrugged slightly killing them would be fun, maybe while he was at it he could find out from them the route to the surface. Plus it would make all worth his while to look in to their petrified face before he killed them.

He was about to close his eye fully when the bubbling and churning of the water caused him to pull him self up into a sitting position. He watched in confusion the whole lake churned its very waters bursting to a fray of different colours. His gaze drifted across the boiling mass as what looked like lightening blasted underneath the waves.

He slowly pulled up readying his claws he'd kill what ever this thing was as soon as it surfaced. This whole thing was probably some freighting display just to get his blood boiling or to piss him off. Demons always had one-track minds when they're in desperate need off something this was defiantly one off those times.

He turned sharply pulling out a clawed hand as the water was thrust on to him as what ever it was hit the surface. He turned sharply ready to strike only to be met by an amazing sight, which caused him to almost loose his grip on the wet stone floor. A huge long white maned Jin Uni Ki had broke the waters surface, it's horns and body dripped with wet water, which almost seemed to glisten in the low light.

He stared at it for a long moment it didn't look like the other one he'd seen earlier its body was far slimmer and more feminine. It slowly shook it long mane then yawned showing of small set of razor sharp teeth. It was smaller than the one he'd seen earlier there was no doubt about it, he narrowed his gaze theses Jin Uni Ki had females? All the demons he'd ever known from each race had been males.

He pulled back slightly as it turned to look at him, the glowing purples eyes narrowed for a moment then opened wide. Aeon found himself pulling back slightly as it made its way towards him. He stared as the long clawed finger hit the waters edge and the huge body came to stand over him half of it still soaked in the shimmering water.

He found his heart racing for a moment as it lowered down slightly sniffing him for a second it pulled up a wide grin spreading across it's face. Aeon narrowed his gaze then pulled back snarling "I hate long drawn out deaths, so get on with it! I know that's the reason I'm here so get it over with!"

The female beast pulled back slightly cocking her head to one side "Such hurt and hate and misery from one whose every soul has the essence of such a warm hearted other." Aeon pulled back in slight confusion "What the hell are you talking about Jin Uni Ki?"

The female slowly shook her main a saddened expression appearing on her features "Sophitia has so much love, yet your soul seems to feel none off it, its like you can't feel your own soul fully, its there but you don't feel it." She shook her head "I feel so sorry for you Lizard man its like you've lost pride and self worth, you only feel your on this earth to kill evil demons and die and that is it."

She breathed in deeply "You just want to end your life anyway you can, you could have won against the other Jin Uni Ki but you didn't really want to. Its like your aims are gone along with your self-confidence off who you are and what your true purpose is. Even know you want me to kill you, because you believe it will set you free."

Aeon pulled up a clawed hand "Yeah well if you were me you'd understand that this body is a curse and I'm wanted dead by everyone because off what I did in my soulless past! Waking everyday and knowing this does make my life worthless, I've lost everything that ever meant something to me! My humanity my wife and children my warriors honour and most of my memories of who I am!"

The female slowly shook her head "So much hated and self loathing." She sighed aloud " Its so sad that a being with such an amazing gift of having a soul would want such a thing." Her clawed hand slowly rose "It's such a rare gift to be given back the very thing that was taken from you. It's so strange that you haven't realized that and embraced it. So many like you would kill for such a rare thing."

Aeon eyed his clawed hand "Having a soul has done nothing for me! I mean look at me, I'm in the form of the murderous General who killed thousands! All people see is that, that monster they don't care for my human soul so why should I?!"

The female slowly pulled herself up slightly "You forget that people can sometimes see through form. You also forget that you've been given something back that is beyond measure and no doubt you've also forgotten who you really are because of your self loathing and hated of your form."

Aeon slowly narrowed his gaze then pulled up a clawed finger "Your so full of yourself Jin Uni Ki female! You know nothing about me, not that you could possibly understand me for one second! My suffering is beyond you demon, you've never seen suffering or death! You've never fallen from grace or been loathed because your species are love demons all you know is that!"

He snarled aloud "You also don't understand pain or hate because it's not in your nature or a least that what I've heard! On top of this I don't care for your opinion it doesn't change anything just like your words! On top of all of this I don't know how you know Sophitia Alexandra but how I got her Soul essence is none of your business!"

The female slowly closed her eye a sneer formed across her face "You should not judge me! I've seen suffering my father was killed by a Jumo pack, my mother was made a slave for this same pack! She had to bring human women to them or face death and I was forced to live out my youth in the demon world of shadows! One day when she refused they ripped her to pieces In front of me."

Her claws scrapped the floor leaving marks in the limestone "I broke my chains and I killed them all I tour out their insides and eat them. I escaped the demon world only to come here through one of their portals to come to human world. I was going to die because of my wounds I wanted to kill every demons in sight my hate was so strong of them!"

She paused breathing in deeply "I was saved I was given a home and taught to live again I know suffering and pain as much as you do Lizard man although you may not believe it. That's why I'm the one whose talking to you, the others including my leader are unsure off how to begin with you. I said I would speak to you because I understand your situation better than they ever could."

She pulled up putting a hand on her maned chest "I've also met Sophitia Alexandra in this Labyrinth not so many hours ago she was with her girlfriend Taki. I find it fascinating that you have a part off her within you I'm so curious to find out how such a thing was achieved it's something I've never seen before."

Aeon pulled back in surprise this demon had seen Sophitia! Taki was now Sophitia's girlfriend! He pushed the thought to one side it wasn't the important issue here the demons other words were the real issue, he was being so judge mental and selfish in his thoughts humans suffered so did monsters their was nothing to say a demon couldn't suffer even ones like this.

He put a hand on his snout he was letting his mouth take over again as usual, this demon had suffered by the sounds off it an awful lot more than him. The reason she was here was to help him in someway. He breathed in he didn't know why she was their to help or what she'd do but her reasons were honest or so it seemed.

He slowly lifted his head "Your right its not my place to judge you, I guess in a way you've not judged me for that I should be grateful it's probably the reason I'm still alive." The female demon cocked her head to one side "Do you have a name? Mines Keiko."

She watched the Lizard man sit up right he turned to look at her "Aeon Calicos ex head General of Kyumm mrl py eltzk's demon and Lizard man army." He pulled up his hand "Guess that's not the best way to introduce myself, but then I can't remember how I used to introduce myself unfortunately."

Keiko shook her mane "You don't remember, I guess it must hard not really knowing yourself only in part and not a whole. Perhaps that is why you suffer so, why you want it to end. I doubt you really know what's expected off you anymore ether, that's very saddening."

Aeon slowly pulled up his knees "What can the world hold for me? I'm not really a part off it anymore I'm just an old relic off the Dark War." Keiko stiffened slightly then shook her head "Was the war the one that gave you back your soul?"

Aeon pulled up his clawed hand looking at it "No Sophitia did, but then I don't need to tell you what she's like you've met her already. It also sounds like she's doing okay despite her situation which is good." Keiko raised an eyebrow "Is she your friend?" Aeon tensed slightly " She's been my only real friend since that war although I feel I'm so unworthy of her, she's twice the warrior I'll ever be."

Keiko leaned down slightly "You should give yourself more credit, your still trying to right your wrongs even if to you that means killing all the demons off the shadow world while you still breath clean air." She pulled up a clawed hand "Please tell me how you got your soul back, I really want to find out what the connection is between you and her."

Aeon shuffled uneasily then looked up fully meeting the glowing purples gaze "Why do you care so much for my history? I mean look at me I'm the reflection of something your demon kind hates." Keiko breathed in heavily "Maybe you are what I should hate on the outside but inside your as human as humans come. You're a warrior whose come back from the shadows its so amazing that you're reclaimed that which was taken from you."

She put a claw under Aeon's chin "Jin Uni Ki believe the soul is precious no matter what the form. We believe there is no end to what can be accomplished from with in the very heart off any being. My friend Jiro made a mistake with you, a very poor mistake by looking at the form your in. Soon he'll be here to say his apologises and he'll really want to know how you became this way as will the rest off my pack."

Aeon stared at the floor for a moment then ran a clawed finger down his snout "I guess it wont hurt to tell its something I remember very clearly since the day it happened." He pulled both hands looking at them "I can't seem to shift that day from my mind."

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Aeon stared up at the burning castle, his masters beautiful palace was burning! He couldn't find his master! He turned giving Isabella valentine a cold stare "This is all your fault you little bitch! My masters fort is on fire and it's all because you let that Greek blonde bitch escape!"

Isabella slowly pulled up Kyumm mrl py eltzk's staff of power looking at it. She pushed her white hair off her blue eyes smiling smugly "Shut the fuck up Aeon your nothing but a fifthly worm! I got what I came for now get out of my sight before I tear your throat out!"

Aeon pulled up his clawed hand "That's my masters! How dear you steal it from him!" Ivy sneered she turned meeting Aeon's gaze "Who cares about your stupid little priest who's boots you have lick for your life to mean something! He was dead anyway that bitch of a ninja killed him, his dead body was lying in the throne room!"

She watched the staff's eye opened it turned to look up at her she ran a hand across it "Guess that means you and poor Astaroth are master less oh well not that it really maters Astaroth will follow me now." She slowly eased up her long sword flicking it under the Lizard mans throat "You can ether follow me or fuck off back to that miserable shine called Kunpaetku where you like swim around all day."

Aeon pulled back he pulled up his lips showing off his teeth "You traitor! You betrayed my master! You betrayed my army, you were working for someone else the whole time weren't you?!" Ivy pulled up the sword pushing up Aeon's head slightly "Nice to see you do have a brain Aeon, shame you weren't quick enough to work it all out. Guess my sleeping with you must have caused you to loose track."

Aeon pulled back "You sleep with everyone Astaroth was no different you just had him so you could bring him to your side." Ivy eyed the staff in her free hand a wide smile slowly spread over her lips "Hardly he just has a bigger dick than you do and I found his company far more pleasing."

Aeon eyed his weapon, which was in his scabbard "You'll die for this!" Ivy smiled adjusting her leather outfit slightly "Sophitia was good to even if she did knock me out." Aeon leered at her "That was your plan all along you let Sophitia get away, before she was ready before my master could make her fully evil!"

Ivy shook her head "You give me way to much credit letting Sophitia get away was a mistake. I wanted her so much to feel her body against mine, I just untied the ropes so I could have this and missed her boot coming towards my face. I guess it was her cleavage it just put me off along with her white underwear."

Aeon stiffened "You disgust me! Your just a fifthly bitch who wants to fuck everyone. You think everyone is your toy or they're for your amusement." Ivy pulled up her sword hand poking the lizard man's chest " Everyone is there for me! I'm countess Valentine everyone should do as I command! Everyone should do as I say or die!"

Aeon spat near her feet "There's the spoiled bitch talking again, your nothing but a grown up brat." He watched in silence as lightening began to come from Ivy sword the tall woman slowly eased the weapon against his throat "Guess you die then, such a shame really I was hoping you'd join me I could use what's left off your army."

Aeon pulled back his lips showing off his teeth "My army will never follow you or the person your working for. I mean it's not like the person your working for is very powerful anyway probably another fool who your toying with." Ivy scowled slightly "He is no fool and one day the time will come for him to rise from the shadows and bring darkness to this world. You'll all have to kneel to him when he comes like good slaves!"

Aeon shrugged slightly "Do you think I care for such a person Valentine? In truth I don't just like I don't care for a delusional fool like yourself." Ivy snarled aloud "I'm going to enjoy killing you Aeon!"

Aeon eased his sword out of it scabbard then eased up his shield "Not as much as I'm going to enjoy ripping out your stomach Valentine!" He watched the woman's weapon fly apart turning in to lethal whip like segments it hit the floor causing lightening to fly in all directions. He pulled back his roar hitting the air, he didn't really hear it though over the roar of flames that was blasting from the side of the castle.

The floating castle in the demon realm was falling apart around him, the ninja's spells had caused half the side to blow up and Sophitia's burning sword had caused the carpets to be set alight this fire was still spreading through the castle. He raised his shield looking at Ivy he'd had been betrayed because off her and his master was now dead he pulled up his sword swinging it he'd make her suffer for this!

Sophitia slowly walked over the still burning bridge she sneered turning around sharply where was the staff! Taki said it had been stolen before she could get it to destroy it. She grunted aloud the stupid thing had to be around she pulled up her blazing sword looking at it Ivy had no doubt taken it and got away from Taki.

She slowly let her eyes wander Ivy that name made her want to throw up, how dare she try to violate her like that! Shame it was only her back teeth she managed to break with her boot she would have preferred to break her face. She stopped short looking at her weapon hand the dark spell was still inside her body it hadn't fully dissipated yet theses horrible thoughts were no doubt its horrible after effects.

She turned glaring at the burning castle so much for the great fort of Kyumm mrl py eltzk the place was now just a burning wreck. She jumped down on to the next ledge there was nothing but burnt carcasses of lizard men as well as dead berserkers who'd been killed when Taki had set off the gun powder off in the storage chambers bellow the fort.

She pulled herself on to the next ledge Taki would no doubt be trying to find her since she'd left the group, the ninja seemed to care about her well being now. Shame she hadn't bothered to care when she'd been captured and tortured by Kyumm mrl py eltzk himself!

Sophitia found herself groaning again this wasn't how she thought! She liked Taki, Taki was her friend! She put her hand on her chest she wanted this horrible spell to go away it was hurting her mind as well as her soul. She was about to put a hand on her face when the sound of weapons smashing brought her around. She pulled herself on to the next ledge then slowly looked over.

A shocking sight met her gaze Ivy Valentine was fighting Aeon Calicos below sparks flew as both there weapons collided. Her gaze drifted to Ivy's other hand her eyes widened the staff off power was in her hand! She watched its hideous eye move as it was slammed across Aeon's snout. A smile slowly spread across Sophitia's face the foolish woman was very close to the edge.

She threw herself off the ledge landing close by, nether of the warriors noticed her because of the noise that was coming from their weapons. An evil grin slowly spread across her face, it was a least a five and a half meter-drop to the balcony bellow. She just had to slam her shield in to Ivy's stomach and grab the staff of power.

She slowly raised her shield this was going to be amusing if not very entertaining, Ivy was so focused on her fight that there was no way she'd even see her coming. Sophitia found herself laughing slightly maybe the fall would break her back, she leered at the tall woman now that would be make pushing her off worth it.

Ivy watched as her sword swept out it slammed across Aeon's shield causing the lizard man to fall back, she pulled it back bringing it down across Aeon's unarmoured shoulder she watched as spray of blood hit the air. The Lizard man couldn't win her he was a weak fool and no weapon could stand up to the Ivy Blade!

Her eyes moved sharply as she heard something she looked up slowly, it was the Greek! She was running at her from the side Aeon hadn't seen her yet but then he was kneeling over trying to stop the green blood, which was oozing from his arm. She watched in what seemed like slow motion as the young blonde ran through her twirling sword her shield was out pulled back ready to strike.

Her Greek cloths were torn, her blue shirt was torn in five places, her skirt was ripped up the side, bandages were also wrapped around areas of her body. She looked like hell on earth but the thing that was most frightening was the psychotic look in her eyes, which still hadn't changed back to normal. They still had a red glow behind the pupils and the light green colour was still dark green.

Ivy didn't get a chance to move as the shield impacted with her stomach, she found herself falling back she tried to throw her sword out so it could latch on to something but she wasn't quick enough the blade seemed to scrape the ledge above but then slide off. She watched as the angered Greek grabbed the Staff Of Powers middle above where she was still holding.

Her eyes looked in shock as her feet started to slip back against the ledge, she grabbed the staff with her sword hand despite how difficult it was to hold both her weapon and staff together she watched her weapon crack back in to it's sword shape. She turned her head looking at the balcony bellow her it was something off a drop! She tried to get her shoes to grip but the high heels just scrapped the ledges side.

She was hanging on for all she worth, the staff was the only thing keeping her from falling. She turned looking in to Sophitia's eyes an evil smile was plastered across the Greeks sweet features. She smiled slowly then met the Greeks psychotic gaze "Impressive blow Sophitia now how's about you pull me up?"

Sophitia eyed the balcony bellow her smile widening "I don't want to pull you up I like seeing you hanging there it suits you." Ivy tried to pull herself up again only to find her heels scrapping the walls ledge "Now come on Sophitia this isn't like you, really isn't, now be a dear and pull me up I mean it's not in your nature to drop me." She stiffened uneasily "I mean you wouldn't kill me, I'm your friend Sophitia."

Sophitia eyed her for a moment then sneered "Taki is my friend! You're not my friend you beat me with that evil sword off yours! Then you tried to make me have sex with you against my will!" Ivy's eyes flickered nervously "That wasn't me that was Kyumm mrl py eltzk's doing he made me do it to you!"

Sophitia slowly put her hand on Ivy's she ripped her weapon hand clean off the staff she watched as the tall woman's hand flailed out trying to grab something with no luck. Sophitia slowly narrowed her eyes "You must think I'm a real dumb blonde! I don't believe you!" Ivy looked down sharply at the fall she slowly looked in to Sophitia's eyes "Your still infected by that spell aren't you Sophitia?"

She grinned widely " You know I can get rid off the rest off the effects and you can be yourself again, you'd like that wouldn't you?" Sophitia pulled back a sneer forming across her face "The spell is fading Taki got rid off it, I'm still suffering the after effects but they'll be gone in a day or so, which is fine by me." She slowly eased up her other hand grabbing Ivy's.

Ivy swung her head around in panic" You wouldn't seriously kill me! It's not in your nature you don't kill you're a holy warrior!" Sophitia turned scowling at her "Guess your wrong aren't you I've killed but your right I don't kill like you which is for fun, I kill when I have no choice. What makes you think I'm going to kill you anyway? Seung Mina is the one who wants your head."

Ivy looked up sharply "What?" Sophitia slammed her hand against the Ivy's "She's searching for you on the level bellow apparently she'd like to break your spine or so she tells me. She's the one who's going to kill you not me, I'm just going to give you to her." Ivy turned sharply the balcony bellow was the lower level! There was no way up from it only the long way around!

She turned staring at Sophitia "You know maybe we can come to some arrangement I give you half off my gold and a share of mansion!" Sophitia slammed her hand out yanking Ivy's free "I don't want your gold! I hate gold and jewels and I would never take any blood money off yours." She looked down slightly "Say to Seung Mina that I said hello."

Aeon turned sharply he heard Ivy's scream as it hit the air he stared as the Greek thrust the tall woman's hand free Isabella seemed to fall in slow motion. He grinned hearing her body hit the balcony below somehow he wished he'd thought off that. He slowly stood up eyeing up the Greek girl she had the staff of power in her hand she was tracing her eyes across the balcony bellow.

Sophitia let her eyes wander Ivy valentine was laying bellow she watched as the tall woman slowly pulled herself off the balcony's floor into a kneeling position. She had a stream of blood running from her nose but she wasn't dead not it mattered Seung Mina would find her soon enough there was no doubt about it. She watched the white haired woman look up at her then painfully pull herself to her feet then limp her way in side the balcony.

She turned away hearing Aeon's claws tap the floor behind her she turned glaring at him "Hello Aeon." The lizard man adjusted his armour slightly then cocked his head to one side grinning widely "You should have killed her Sophitia you might have enjoyed it."

He slowly walked up behind her brushing his armoured shoulder against her leather back "Evil can be so much fun, didn't you enjoy that feeling of pure unrestrained blood lust running through your veins?" He leaned down slightly letting his tongue flick out close to her face "You must have enjoyed having that rage pumping inside your body like fire. You can still feel it pumping through your system giving you such beautiful rage."

Sophitia took a step back from the ledge "I don't enjoy being like you Aeon, I still don't like having theses feeling you enjoy so much." Aeon slowly pulled up a clawed hand "Don't lie Sophitia blood excites you like any human, your drawn to it like a moth to a flame, you want more, you want to feel it drink it and lick it from your blade."

Sophitia stiffened slightly "I want nothing off your hate and bloodlust! Your bloodlust nearly made me kill my friend Seung Mina!" Aeon snorted then leaned over sniffing her hair "Such trivial things are friends why bother yourself with them I mean its not like they took the time to try and find you did they?"

Sophitia swung her hair sharply away from Aeon's nose " Taki searched, Taki tried for all she was worth to find me. That is who she is a good friend off mine you on the other hand are just an abomination, a Greek warrior turned in to a monster."

Aeon laughed slightly "Oh please don't lie I'm no Greek warrior I never have been I've always been a lizard man. On top of that I don't believe you because you're not quite yourself right now and you'll say anything just to piss me off!" Sophitia narrowed both eyes "Deluded bastard, you can never run from who you truly are, you're one of the Warriors sent by Hephaestus to destroy the Soul Edge swords."

She slowly eased up the staff off power looking at it "You failed and slipped in darkness and now you're just a slave to the darkness's will." Aeon put a hand on his chest "Ouch… such mean spirited words from such a holy warrior. I guess being turned evil means you don't care for saving me then?"

Sophitia raised an eyebrow "How do I save you? You tell me Aeon Calicos." Aeon snarled aloud he leaned forward letting his clawed hand touch the staff of power "I don't want to be saved by you Alexandra! Now give me the staff!"

Sophitia smiled slightly " As you wish" She turned around slamming it across the lizard man's snout he roared aloud leaping forward his hand trying to grab the staff. Sophitia leapt to one side hitting him in the back with her shield she watched him groan painfully then turn around to look at her. Aeon eased his own shield up higher ignoring the pain in his back "Give me the staff!"

Sophitia slammed out her shield hitting his as he leaped forward both weapon grinded against each other Sophitia turned to meet Aeon's lizard like gaze "Piss off!" The lizard man brought his shield up trying to knock her down with it only to find her barrel rolling clear of his swing. He ran forward making a grab at the staff his fingers slowly closed around it.

Sophitia pulled back slamming her shield in to the lizard mans face he didn't let go off the staff though he turned spitting the green blood that was dripping from his mouth at her his enraged voice hit the air "Give me my staff you little bitch!" Sophitia pulled back not letting go off staff "Go burn! I'll die before I give this to you!"

Aeon yanked again on the staff with all his might, Sophitia was refusing to let go, he pulled up roaring at her only to replied with an air spiting scream from the blonde haired Greek who just yanked back even harder. Aeon narrowed his eyes if only he had his sword! He'd left it on the ground near by. Sophitia's was out off his reach plus he couldn't touch that weapon he'd seen what had happened to the lizard men who'd tried.

It had killed them by putting lightning through them until they'd died! He tried to hit her with his shield again the two shields met causing sparks to fly there was no doubt about it Sophitia's strength was matching his own. She just wouldn't let go off the staff no matter what he tried to do.

He held the staff with all his might ignoring the grinding that was coming from both their shields as they scratched against each other. Sophitia's eyes narrowed "You'll never understand will you, your lost, you don't even know who you are!" Aeon pulled even harder "I'm Aeon Calicos general of the dark army!"

He turned sharply noticing that the staffs eye had suddenly opened it seemed to turn to look at him, then it turned eyeing Sophitia. Aeon found himself staring at the eye he'd never seen it this close before it so beautiful and evil. He found himself leaning closer, his gaze shot up suddenly noticing that Sophitia was trying to close her eyes she was starting to panic.

Her dark green eyes were suddenly pried open and she was pushed forward her body was loosing all its will to move, Aeon smirked how appropriate she was being drawn in by its evil. He stopped as a sudden feeling over took him he could feel something pulsing through his system but had idea what it was, it felt wrong he tried to pull away only to find his body wouldn't move. What was happening?!

The eye on the staff was bringing him in he couldn't stop it! This was all wrong! He slowly watched his world faded to black it seemed to repair again as a bloody lake he watched in surprise as what looked like all Sophitia's memories flew past him. Why was he seeing her memories? Plus where the fuck was she he couldn't see her anywhere?

He snarled turning sharply his hidden spine flying up, he wanted out off her memories! He didn't care for her memories she was a bitch! He didn't care for her pathetic life story ether! He didn't care for her period! He stopped still as the memories came to a halt one drifted closer to him it was a tall man buying some sort of cakes from a very young blonde haired Greek girl.

The man was wearing his armour except it had a skirt and a belt! He even had his weapons although they were shinnying with a silver glow. The man had long brown hair and blue eyes and had a thoughtful smile on his face he was slightly unshaven as well. Aeon watched him lean down taking the cake from what looked like a very Young Sophitia's hand.

The young girl smiled then put a hand on his armour plaiting " You like my mothers cakes Mr Aeon Calicos sir, you always buy lots off them." The big man grinned "Sophitia, beautiful little Sophitia Alexandra your mother makes the most wonderful cakes off anyone in Greece and you spoil a Knight like me by giving me them."

Aeon could only stare in shock horror was that him in Sophitia's memory! It couldn't be he was lizard man! He'd been born lizard man! He suddenly found himself bending over painfully his body blasted in to bright light in front of his eyes, he watched as the memories changed all becoming his it was too much! He could see his birth his first love his training with a man he couldn't remember!

He could also hear Sophitia screaming his eyes shot open in horror Sophitia was inside him they were one person in this horrible memory cascade! He wanted to cry he wanted to leave! He found himself starting to remember his lost youth and warrior hood! He could feel something coming back to him his soul his lost object taken from him by the Soul Edge swords!

The world burst in to light in front of him the red sea turned to white washing waves all seemed to light up like the sun itself before his world became dark again. The next moment were painfully as his body was tossed free of the staff causing him to hit the wall behind him, his eyes opened with a start. Sophitia was lying on the ground she had also been thrown back first against a fallen pillar.

Aeon looked around nervously it seemed like seconds as his memories washed over him off who he was, he eased up his shaking clawed hand looking at it. He was Aeon Calicos knight of Greece born under the Ottoman Empire trained by Argus after the civil war! He looked up with a start staring at Sophitia who was lying near by she looked like she had passed out.

She was that young girl he used to buy food from, from that bakers shop owned by the Alexandra family. He used to speak to her and tell her about being a warrior. Once when he had been human. He looked at his clawed hand in horror and now he was monster! A horrible monster what had happened to him? He couldn't remember! He had to wake Sophitia up he needed her! He didn't know himself!

He slowly crawled over to where she was lying he brought his huge clawed hands up under her fallen body picking her up slowly. He shook her gently "Sophitia! Sophitia come on wake up please!" He put a clawed hand up putting it through the long loose blonde hair "Wake up dame you! Please wake up don't die on me!"

Sophitia moaned slightly she moved slightly Aeon watched as her eyes opened they had gone back to their light green colour she squinted eyeing him "I was inside your soul." Aeon slowly eased her up "I… I know you… you're that girl the one I liked to talk to, I used to tell you about being warrior. I remember you so well!"

Sophitia stared for a moment "How is it you speak like you used to? I don't understand." Aeon lowered his head "I don't know ether…Please you have to help me I don't remember who I am! I'm a monster I don't know how I got this way what did I do wrong? How did I fail?! Help me please I can't remember!"

Sophitia watched in shock as tears began to roll down the lizard man's face she watched him lean over his snout touching her torn blue shirt his whole body seemed to shake uncontrollably and he didn't want to let her go. She slowly eased up her hand running it down his snout trying to stop him from crying although it seemed in vain Aeon's whole being seemed to be confused and afraid.

She put her other hand up slowly what had happened to them both? She didn't know, she couldn't say all that seemed obvious was that Aeon Calicos had left the realms of darkness and so had she which she didn't understand ether. She looked up at the burning castle, this day would remain in both their memories she was sure off it.

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Aeon turned eyeing Keiko "I don't know what happened that day I can't explain it ether I just know that we were one person for a moment in our lives. Something in that moment caused my soul to come back to me that's the only way I know how to explain it." Keiko stared at the lizard man in front of her, her gaze drifted as she suddenly became aware that all of the fully armoured Jin Uni Ki members were standing over them both.

She turned looking at Aeon "Truly amazing that the Soul Edge weapon piece that took your soul could give back." She turned as Yasashiku slowly stepped forward he came to sit in front of Aeon Calicos "I have to agree I've never heard off such a thing." Keiko raised an eyebrow then turned to her leader "How long where you and other standing here?"

Yasashiku slowly stretched his armoured wings out "Long enough to hear this warriors story." He pulled up a hand to Aeon "It seems that you are more than you appear warrior." He was about to say more when Jiro shoved past him the scared Jin Uni Ki sat himself in front of Aeon "I want to speak with him now!"

Keiko slowly pulled herself out of the water she leaned over slightly till she was close to Jiro's ear "Hasn't he been through enough? I don't believe he harmed Amba." Jiro eyed her then shook his mane "As soon as I know what I want to know I'll be happy till then he can have no rest!"

Keiko stiffened slightly "This is foolish! Leave him be he has a human soul doesn't that tell you enough!" She gowned her teeth together "Plus you should be apologising to him you nearly took his life!" Jiro pulled up his clawed hand slamming it in to the stone "Enough Keiko! Go and put your armour on and leave as be."

Keiko sheered slightly "This is so foolish!" She slowly walked away her gaze turned to Yasashiku "You should stay! He's still angry who knows what he might do!" Yasashiku sighed aloud turning to face her "This is personal to him, that is the way it must be. I have no right to interfere in Jiro's personal past."

Keiko watched as the other Jin Uni Ki disappeared in to the shadows she snarled aloud " This is insane!" Her words fell on dull ears as Yasashiku disappeared in to the shadows she lowered her head shaking it then followed them.

Aeon watched the Keiko disappear in to shadow he turned his gaze meeting the male Jin Uni Ki's in front of him. This was not good! He watched as the huge demon came towards him. He closed his eyes this was ether going to be his end or if he was lucky it could be his way out of the labyrinth.

He watched as the Jin Uni Ki roared as it came closer he felt his own claws scrape the limestone, of all the places he'd never wanted to it be it was this one. Looking into a jealous demon's eye, a demon who could kill him easily out of vengeance and hate if it pleased with no remorse whatsoever.

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Suzuka slowly ran a finger down her scared face this annoying silence was starting to piss her off! She was bored she leaned back the huge chair bringing up a boot she kicked one off the weapons in its binders which was in front of her. She watched it rattle for a moment then go still. Toki wouldn't get away with this! Nether would Rei! She felt her fingernails scratch the chairs arm Rei was becoming an even worse pain than Toki!

She was even less amused by the fact that Taki wasn't dieing. She slowly sat up in her chair Taki was annoying she hadn't failed so far despite what had happened to both her and Sophitia. She narrowed her good eye slightly what if Taki did get free from the Labyrinth? She found her teeth grinding together Taki couldn't win against her not now she was more powerful than Taki could ever imagine!

She sneered then turned to look at Mekki-Maru its eye moved slightly it looked at her for a moment then it closed again. Even if Taki did get free she could still win, ether way Taki would lose! She pushed her long hanging fringe out of her eye she make sure if they did get out that she'd be there to stop them! Taki would not defeat her again she'd make sure off that!

Akuma slowly smiled he eased up Suzuka's cup she watched him her blind eye moving slightly, Akuma grinned widely "More Sake?" Suzuka stiffened in annoyance "No! Now shut the fuck up and let me think!" Akuma pulled back sharply he slowly nodded then put the cup back on the table. Akira slowly turned meeting Suzuka's enraged gaze " Is something bothering you Suzuka?"

Suzuka growled aloud slamming both fist down full force on the chairs arms she turned to stare at him "Yes something is bothering me, its you! Now leave me in peace before I rip out your lower intestine!" Akira pulled back quickly he slowly took up his guarding position while trying to Ignoring his brothers ice-cold stare.

Suzuka leaned back in the chair again trying not to fidget, her gaze drifted sharply as the doors near by suddenly burst open, she turned slowly a scow appearing on her face who was going to interrupt her thoughts now!

She watched as Fujio walked in the guard had smug smile on his face, Suzuka snarled aloud what did he want!? Couldn't he piss off and leave to her thoughts! She felt her hand grab the chair arm if this wasn't good she'd kill him on the spot! She'd wanted to kill him for sometime now, and this was as good a time as any!

Fujio slowly paced closer to Suzuka he watched as her blind eye followed his every move, He slowly pulled up ignoring the sneer from Akuma who was standing by Suzuka's side his annoying prick of a brother Akira was on the opposite side. Suzuka found herself tensing uncontrollably "This had better be good! Because I swear if its not I'm going to decorate this room with your insides!"

Fujio grinned slightly he leaned over bowing "Now I'm sure that wont be necessary Suzuka, I'm sure I wont be that much of a pain to an attractive women such as yourself." Suzuka pulled back her eyebrow raised "You know I hate it when morons like you try to flatter me! Now get to the point!"

Fujio pulled up his grin widening "I have something you might want to see, it's a very small thing but I'm sure it will interest you, you hating Taki and all." Suzuka leaned forward slightly "I despise guessing games, now show me what it is you've found!"

Fujio shifted his sword slightly ignoring the dull pain that was coming from his bandaged shoulder" Always in such a hurry aren't you? You know a fine looking women such as yourself should relax once in a while." He put a hand up looking at the room "I mean you must get so bored and sexual frustrated being in this dull ninja's throne room or what ever you want to call this place."

He eased the scroll out from behind his back " I guess that's one of the reasons your sister lost it was partly to do with stress, well at least that's what her first and apparently last journal entry has written on it." He watched as Suzuka pulled herself clean off the chair and slowly took a step towards him, he shrugged slightly "I just thought someone like you would find that interesting."

Suzuka took another step forward "Now were did you find that?" Fujio smiled easing up the scroll "Oh this it was just lying around." He pulled the scroll away as Suzuka took another step forward " I can tell you all about it over some lunch, I'm sure we can find some suitable food in this crappy little ninja fort of your step fathers."

Suzuka pulled back slightly this was interesting. Fujio was sucking up to her, which was amusing he was also bribing which was a tad pathetic. She turned looking over at the abyss below still she was hungry and maybe she could amuse herself for a while. She turned giving Fujio a smile "That sounds nice, I'll come with you."

Fujio smiled even wider "I'm sure you'll like it, I cook good food." He turned noticing that Akuma and Akira where both laughing for some reason. Why were they laughing the fuckers! At least he had tried to temp Suzuka, which was more than they'd ever done. No doubt they were just seeing this as an opportunity to mock his courage and bravery.

He snarled aloud as soon as he had won Suzuka over he'd deal with both off them, they were both stupid little bastards and he deserved to stand at Suzuka's side not them! He turned smiling at Suzuka then slowly brought up his hand "Allow me to lead you to the eating quarters." He watched as she slowly moved towards the doors this was so easy Suzuka was just like any other women easily drawn in by charming comments."

He narrowed his eyes "Maybe after he had sex with her she'd be so besotted by him that she'd let him kill Akuma and Akira. That was a nice thought to see those to morons die and be replaced by him! The thought off leading Suzuka's assassin clan thrilled him even more. He slowly followed the tall women as she walked through the doors ignoring Akuma's laughter.

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Sophitia slowly put her fingers in to the walls groves again, they'd been walking for sometime now or so it seemed. She yawned slightly she wanted to rest her legs were staring to ache. She stopped feeling her breath leave her, slowly she leaned against the wall ignoring the dull ach in her shoulder. She slowly moved her neck trying to get rid of the twinge.

She stopped short as she felt Taki's hand on her shoulder the ninja slowly began to kneed her collar bone, she closed her eyes one thing she couldn't get over even know was how gentle Taki could be, she'd seen this woman kill a demon with her bare hands and yet every moment she'd spent with Taki the ninja had showed so much soft tenderness.

She felt the ninja lips meet her own for a second causing her to open her eyes. She looked up slowly meeting the dark brown gaze, those elaborate brown eyes always seemed so full of love they were almost mesmerizing so much so that she felt like she could feel her self being lost in them.

She raised her eyebrow slightly, if eyes where a window into another person's soul then Taki's soul had to have depth which reached beyond anything she'd ever come across in her whole life. She watched as the light bounced slightly off the dark pupils it also reflecting the stunning iris patterns. She felt Taki lean against her the ninja's gentle voice came to her ears "How are you doing?"

Taki slowly brushed Sophitia's fridge off her eyes "You've been very quite." She looked down at her feet slightly Sophitia hadn't said much at all not that she blamed her the younger women was probably trying to collect her thoughts. She had walked with her down the passage keeping her arm around Sophitia's shoulders but had not interfered with her thoughts Sophitia needed time.

She hated that she'd had to stop her, she hated that she couldn't make love to her, Sophitia understood though despite how hard it had been to say. Even so it must have been hard for to take in, no one liked to be pushed away when there was so much love in their system as well as need and desire. She knew that better than anyone, so many people had pushed her away when she'd tried to come close.

It was like being kicked between the legs by someone who was wearing steal foot guards and it hurt the heart just as much, no one liked to be rejected when they felt they where so near, it was a cruel hit to the confidence as well as the pride. She turned looking in to Sophitia's light green gaze, she wasn't even sure how Sophitia was dealing with it. The silence was also staring to get to her.

She didn't want to hurt the younger women's pride, she watched, as Sophitia's hand moved over her own slowly the Greeks fingers entwining with her own. Sophitia stretched slightly ignoring her still painful shoulder "I'm fine just tried, how much further is it?"

Taki pulled her hand up kneading her girlfriend's collarbone again "Not to much further its just another room then we have to find the passage that goes up to the surface." She felt Sophitia flinch slightly in pain she slowly cocked her head to one side "Your shoulders still hurting seems saving my life with your shield has caused you some pain."

Sophitia tensed slightly "I loved saving your life, you always save mine. Its only a dull ache in my shoulder anyway it's no big deal." Taki smiled slightly "I always enjoy saving yours, not that you need my help your such a strong warrior yourself." Sophitia winced again "My shoulder will heal anyway, it's just a pulled muscle."

Taki eased her hand under Sophitia's chin pulling her head up to meet her own "How's your heart?" Sophitia smiled putting her hand through Taki's long ponytail she watched as the silky black hair fall through her fingers "My hearts fine I'm with you that's all that matters."

Taki slowly moved her free hand over Sophitia upper chest "I really hated that I had to say what I said to you I hate pushing you away, I love you so much." Sophitia's eyes moved sharply from left to right in slight shock "You were doing what you thought was right, and you were right this maze is no place for you as to make love I mean look at it it's a death hole. Plus I was sexually teasing you which didn't help."

Taki slowly brought up both hands running them up Sophitia's shoulders "I enjoy your sexual teasing, I enjoy everything about you. It's just I hate hurting your feelings so much. I don't want to hurt your pride or your heart you don't deserve that."

She found herself trying hard to control her voice from breaking "I just want you to be happy Sophitia." Sophitia found herself staring this was so shocking, Taki looked so worried. She slowly lifted up her hand running it down the ninja's face then eased herself up gently meeting Taki's lips she kissed her softly then slowly broke away " You do make me happy, when I'm around you I feel like I'm whole and not a lose part. You love me no one ever loved me like you do."

Taki moved her hand through Sophitia's hair then slowly eased her arm s around the younger woman's shoulder she never wanted to let go off her those words were so comforting right now.

She'd been feeling down ever since she'd pushed the younger woman away earlier its had felt so mean and unfair to push away the one women in her life that meant something to her.

She'd kept on going over and over it in her head while turning to look at Sophitia who had been moving quietly thought the corridor. It had been driving her mad she hated silence and most off all she hated not hearing Sophitia's voice. She'd tried to ignore the roars of the demons which came every now and again they only seemed to piss her off even more.

Again and again they hit the air why couldn't the fuckers all die and leave her to her own thoughts instead of interrupting her already plagued mind? Which had been getting to the point off boiling over. Just seeing her girlfriend standing there in almost claming up in silence was horrible. She didn't want Sophitia to clam up on her again she couldn't bare the thought.

She breathed in feeling Sophitia's hand's as they moved up her back she gently nuzzled the blonde hair. She didn't want to be alone anymore she could handle the thought of the lonely nights and cold unhappy days. She wanted to remain in Sophitia's arms for as long as she lived, nothing else about her lonely excuse for a life seemed to matter any more she wanted this women's affection so badly.

She had once been told be a half drunken solider in a bar that love is a precious thing to lose the one you love is like losing part of your very soul and heart all at once. She remembered laughing at him because at the time the alcohol in her system had made his truthful comment seem very amusing.

She rolled her eyes the other part that had made it funny was the fact that the Japanese girl she'd slept with wanted nothing more to do with her, which was the reason she'd been drinking in the first place. Not that getting drunk helped it just made her worse and it didn't' get rid of the hurt ether only made her even more depressed. It also turned her in to a disgusting crude drunk who liked to throw fifthly sexual comments at the bar maids.

She slowly pushed that thought to one side it wasn't worth thinking about. The only thing that mattered was that the soldiers comment had been true. She smiled slightly feeling Sophitia kiss the side her face. Sophitia's love was precious to her, so much so that she wanted to drink it in with every passing moment.

She slowly narrowed her eyes a sneer forming across her face she wouldn't let anyone man, women or demon take it away from her! She'd die before she'd let anything happen to Sophitia and she'd make sure if anyone ever harmed her girlfriend they'd suffer!

End of Part 7

By Silvermoonlight (Gabrielle Jackson)

* Author's note* If you find text problems go to the version on FF.net